Matters were now brought to a close on board: the ship dropped anchor opposite the Fish-market Quay, when the three subalterns and the master went on shore. Thus ended the rough passage, but the stormy quarrel which began at sea was yet unsettled; and as I have gone so far with the story, I may as well go a little farther. The party, in proceeding from the ship to the land, were of course disinclined for conversation. Not a word was spoken, until Lieutenant Dickens addressed the master thus—“Have they any hackney-coaches at Lisbon.” “No coaches, but a sort of covered chaises.” “Hah! that will do. We can soon be out of the town. I shall want one this evening.” This evidently alluded to the expected duel. Nothing more passed, and the officers went to their hotels—Mr. Brown expecting an immediate message, and Mr. Smith preparing to send a friend on his part. But no pistols were in requisition, the _Cockaignee_ was no blood-spiller; and to _settle_ the matter, concocted charges of mutiny, &c., against Smith and Brown! Both were placed under arrest and tried by court-martial! But such was the opinion of the Commander of the Forces, that on reading the proceedings of the court, he immediately ordered the _Cockaignee himself_ to be put in arrest, and tried by court-martial for “_striking_ Mr. Smith.” The consequence was, that all parties suffered: Mr. Brown and Mr. Smith were cashiered: the sentence passed on the latter was, however, softened down by the opinion of the court, which would have acquitted him, but that the Dragoon _swore_ the push given on the deck was a _blow_. Dickens fared worst of all: he was “_dismissed his Majesty's service_,” by which he lost the purchase-money of his _two_ commissions—Cornetcy and Lieutenantcy. Every officer was thoroughly disgusted at the affair being made the subject of public investigation instead of being referred to the pistol; and the service was much injured by the detention of field-officers from their regiments, to sit in court-martials about such a matter. The Dragoon felt that he was despised for the step he had taken, and showed his sense of it by attempting suicide. Mr. Smith and Mr. Brown returned to England, and were _reinstated_ in their former commissions. The Dragoon, after some years, was permitted to _re-purchase_ a _cornetcy_; and once more sported his _white feather_ in the army.